Illegal Burning Information

Stop Backyard Burning!

Trash containing plastics, polystyrene (such as foam cups), CCA pressure-treated wood and bleached or colored papers can produce harmful chemicals when burned. For example, when CCA pressure-treated wood (which contains arsenic) is burned, arsenic can be released in the smoke or remain in the ash.

People exposed to smoke could experience burning eyes and nose, coughing, nausea, headaches, or dizziness. Some people find the odors produced by burn barrels disagreeable, and they may experience discomfort, headaches, and nausea. Smoke can trigger asthma attacks. People with heart and lung conditions are at greater risk for health effects. Repeated exposures to pollutants in burn barrel smoke may occur when people burn trash on a regular basis, and this may increase the risk of chronic health problems. Also, unattended burn barrels or backyard burning can cause accidental fires.

Be considerate of your neighbors!

Burning Trash Is Not Only a Bad Idea; It is Against the Law.

Effective on October 14, 2009, all open burning is prohibited in New York with some exceptions, including the following:

  • Campfires less than 3 feet in height and 4 feet in length, width or diameter and small cooking fires are allowed (only clean, dry, untreated or unpainted wood can be burned).
  • Barbeque and charcoal grills are allowed.
  • Agricultural burning of naturally grown products on farms greater than five acres is allowed.
  • Burning of brush/limbs/branches between May 15 and March 15 in towns with populations less than 20,000 is allowed. The limbs must be less than 6 inches in diameter and 8 feet in length.
  • Fires cannot be left unattended and must be fully extinguished.

To report illegal open burning in your neighborhood, call (844) DEC-ECOS or 1-844-332-3267.

For more information:

https://ecode360.com/8412513

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/wondering-what-bonfire-does-your-lungs-we-answer-your-burning-questions-180961493/

https://www.epa.gov/pm-pollution/how-smoke-fires-can-affect-your-health#:~:text=The%20biggest%20health%20threat%20from,even%20linked%20to%20premature%20death

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